Funnel.



R. L. McCO Y.

FUNNEL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 18. 1913.

Patented June 19, 1917.

Fsfsks co PNo-rounaa, WASNING nm. 0. c.

ROBERT L. MoGQY, OF SERGEANTS BLUFF, IOWA.

FUNNEL.

Application filed October 18, 1.913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT L. MoOoY, a citizen of the United States,residing at bergeants Blufii, in the county of VVoodbury and State ofIowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Funnels, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to funnels of that type in which suitable meansare associated therewith for cutting ofl communication between thefunnel and the receptacle with which the funnel is engaged as soon as apredetermined height in the receptacle has been reached.

An object of this invention resides in the provision of a device whichmay be advantageously used with the ordinary type of funnel now in usealthough a funnel having a straight discharge spout is preferable inview of the fact that a straight spout will allow for the float toextend into the vessel a suflicient distance to cause it to rise withthe liquid and at the same time prevent the float from binding in thespout as is very often the case where a device of this character is usedwith a tapering spout.

Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features and scopeof my invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of afunnel constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail fragmentary view showing the valve used in thepresent invention in a closed position; and

Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of the float used in thepresent invention.

In the drawings wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment of thisinvention, a funnel 5 is provided which is of the ordinary invertedcone-shaped type having issuing from the apex thereof a suitabledischarge nozzle or spout 6 which in the present instance is of auniform diameter throughout its length for a purpose which willsubsequently appear. Mounted in the funnel 5 adjacent the apex thereof,is a plate 7 which is preferably of a circular configuration conformingto the configuration of the inner periphery of the funnel, having anSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 19, 1917.

Serial No. 796,072.

opening formed in the center thereof and a valve opening 8 arrangedbetween said central opening and the inner periphery of said funnel.

Goncentrically mounted in the spout 6 and extending upwardly intoengagement with the plate 7 is an elongated cylindrical housing 9 theone end 10 of which is open and the opposite end partly closed by aflange 11, said end 11 snugly engaging with the lower or inner face ofthe plate 7 and being provided with a central opening in which isengaged one end 12 of the tube 13, said tube 13 being likewise of acylindrical configuration but of a diameter smaller than that of thediameter of the housing 9. The end 12 of the tube 13 is flared outwardlyand lies in engagement with the inner face of the upper end 11 of saidhousing 9, while a portion of said tube adjacent the flared end 12thereof isdepressed outwardly as indicated at 14 providing an annularflange which engages with the upper face of the plate 7 adjacent thecentral opening thereof through which the tube 13 extends. Uponreference to Fig. 1 of the drawings it is seen that the tube 13 extendsupwardly to a point adjacent the upper marginal edge of the funnel 5serving not only as an air tube for emitting air coming from thereceptacle which is being filled but at the same time providing a guardfor facilitating the operation of the float rod 15 which is mountedtherein.

Fixedly mounted on the one end of the rod 15, is a float 16 which in thepresent instance is-formed of sheet metal and is preferably of acylindrical configuration conforming to the contour of the innerperiphery of the housing 9 in which said float is slidably mounted, theopposite end of said rod 14: extending beyond the upper end of the tube13. Fixedly engaged with the rod 15 adj a cent its upper end is a strap17 pivotally engaged with a rock shaft 18, said shaft extending throughan opening 18 in the housing 9 and having engagement approximatelymidway its ends with a depending finger or arm 19 the latter extendingfrom the inner face of the plate 7 Pivotally engaged with the oppositeend of said rod'18 is a valve rod 20 which has mounted on the upper endthereof a valve 21, said valve rod extending through the opening 8, saidvalve 21 adapted to close said opening when the float 16 is elevated inthe housing 9.

In operation the spout or discharge nozzle 6 of the funnel 5 is placedin a receptacle in the usual manner, and the float 16 arranged in thehousing 9 in a position as shown in Fig. 1, in which position the valve21 will be disengaged from its seat, thereby establishing communicationthrough the opening 8 of the plate 7 and hence through the spout 6 ofthe funnel. The liquid is poured into the funnel 5 and allowed to flowthrough the opening 8 and through the spout 6 into the receptacle whichis associated with said spout, in the ordinary manner. As soon as apredetermined height has been reached in the vessel, the float 16 willbe ope 'ated in the housing 9 in a vertical or longitudinal directioncausing the shaft 18 to be rocked for closing said valve 21 on its seat,so as to disconnect or close communication between the funnel and thereceptacle, any surplus liquid being held in the funnel can be readilydispensed therefrom into the supply tank if so desired. To dispense thesurplus liquid the upper extremity of the rod 15 is depressed-and thecontents may thus be allowed to flow from the funnel. To maintain thevalve 21 in closed position the extension of the rod 15 is grasped bythe attendant and a slight pull imparted thereto, consequently, securelyholding the valve to its seat through the medium of the rock shaft 18and the valve rod 20. During the operating of the float 16 in thehousing 9 air coming from the receptacle which is being filled will beallowed to escape through the housing 9 and tube 13 so as to in no wayprevent the free operation of the device. In order to open the valve 21when it is desired to again use the funnel pressure is exerted on theupper end of the rod 15 causing the float 16 to again take the positionas shown in Fig. 1.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanyingdrawings comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of myinvention and that various minor changes in details of construction,proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made within the scope ofthe appended claims and without sacrificing any of the advantages of myinvention.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an automatic funnel, a valvearranged in the body of said funnel, a concentric float housing in thespout of the funnel, a float movable in the housing, means forconnecting the float with the valve for closing the same atpredetermined periods,

and an air tube arranged concentrically of the funnel and the housingand communicating with and secured to said housing, said connectingmeans extending through the air tube and above the same to facilitatethe gripping of the same for holding the valve in a closed position.

2. In combination with a funnel having a spout, a plate fixedly arrangedin said funnel adjacent the apex end thereof, said plate provided with acentral opening therein and an opening adjacent said central opening, ahousing concentrically mounted in said spout and extending upwardlytherethrough ii'ito'engagement with the inner face of said plate, an airtube passing through the central opening of said plate and havingengagement with the upper end of said housing, a float operativelymounted in said concentric housing, the upper end thereof ex tendingthrough said air tube, and a valve engaging over said second mentionedopening and having connection with said float as and for the purpose setforth.

3. The combination with a funnel having a. spout, said spout being of auniform diameter throughout its length, a plate fixedly carried in saidfunnel in proximity of the apex end thereof, said plate provided with aconcentric and an eccentric opening, an elongated cylindrical housingconcentrically mounted in said spout, one end thereof being partlyclosed and the opposite end open, said partly closed end extendingupwardly through said spout and into engagement with the inner face ofsaid plate, an air tube centrally mounted in the funnel, the one endthereof extending through the concentric opening and having engagementwith the partly closed end of the housin a float movably mounted in saidhousing, a rod, the one end of which is in engagement with said floatand the opposite end extending through said air tube to a point abovethe same to facilitate gripping thereof, a rock shaft fulcrumed at apoint eccentric on said plate, the one end being in engagement with saidfloat rod, and a valve closure pivotally carried by the opposite end ofsaid shaft for closing said eccentric opening when the float isoperated, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT L. MOCOY.

Witnesses:

W. N. MCCOY, E. T. HUsBY.

Copies 01 this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. 0.

